Are You Planning A Move?

Safe Storage For Tech Inventory

4 January 2018
by Chad Stanley

Many businesses need a full supply of replacement tech parts to keep systems running efficiently without too much maintenance downtime, but it's easy to ruin a backup supply. There's a sweet spot between having expensive, sterile, safe storage containers and cheap storage that could ruin the supply. Here are a few issues to keep in mind as you look for reliable tech storage for parts and full devices.

Static Protection

One of the major risks when storing tech parts is static charge. Static is easily generated on many materials, especially with ungrounded metal and plastic shelves.

Static destroys electronics fairly quickly. It may as well be lightning, since the charge of static electricity overwhelms the small, precise circuitry and causes burn that--although small--can be smelled as soon as the shock happens.

To prevent this, you'll need some sort of anti-static protection. For basic containers, your best bet would be to put a few electronics into individual anti-static bags. These bags are usually sealed with tape or a press-and-seal outer edge.

Some containers are made of the same material as the anti-static bags, and are sold with anti-static branding. Heavy duty plastic storage containers with anti-static capabilities need to be stacked with other containers of the same type to avoid mixing containers and accidentally placing electronics into an unsafe container.

When adding and removing devices without bags, be sure to supply anti-static wrist straps. This is because touching surfaces aside from the anti-static containers or bags can still generate a static charge, and you can still burn your electronics.

Reducing Humidity And Other Contaminants

For areas without humidity control, reducing moisture can be a challenge. Containers can trap in moisture without proper management, but you can arrange your containers in a decent location--such as near air conditioning units--to give your electronics a better chance.

Place all storage containers at least a foot away from the wall and away from any interior air conditioning units. As air conditioning removes moisture as a passive part of the cooling process, simply keeping the containers nearby will help.

However, air conditioning units and connected vents may leak water from condensation. Keeping the containers away from the walls will stop your containers from getting filled up with water over time--or at least from turning into localized swamps as the drops puddle up.

About Me

Moving is notorious for being difficult and stressful, especially if you already have a lot on your plate. I began thinking more seriously about making some big changes in regards to my moving experience, and within a few months, I was completely organized and ready for whatever came my way. It must have been karma, but a few weeks later, my boss asked me if I would be willing to relocate across the country. I was ready, so I didn't worry too much. I wanted to start a blog completely dedicated to planning a move that worked for my schedule and my family.